TBILISI, September 22 – Lithuania’s foreign minister says the European Union must move quickly to launch a backup plan that would allow accession talks with Ukraine to begin, even as Hungary continues to block the process.
Speaking to the Ukrainian outlet European Pravda, Kęstutis Budrys said he believes there is indeed a way to speed up Ukraine’s integration with the EU despite Budapest’s veto. He argued that the enlargement process should be based on a country’s achievements, and that Ukraine has met the criteria. Hungary, he said, is using the veto as leverage.
“We are trying to get 27 votes, but until that happens we are looking for alternative solutions,” Budrys explained, confirming this would be the so-called “Plan B” aimed at bypassing Hungary’s obstruction.
He insisted that member states cannot remain “hostages” to a single country’s decision. According to Budrys, the EU’s current enlargement methodology allows for informal steps under Denmark’s rotating presidency, even if the formal process takes longer.
The Lithuanian minister expressed optimism that EU governments will back such a move and warned that momentum must not be lost. Asked if Plan B should be activated as early as autumn 2025, he replied: “Of course. The momentum exists now. Delaying it is dangerous.”
